Editor's note: Every NFL team is preparing to attack its offseason to-do list, with free agency set to open March 12 and the draft April 25-27. This is the eighth of 32 reports in 32 days by Sporting News NFL correspondents, who will analyze the offseason game plan for each team.

Talent overview

The New York Jets enter 2013 in a strange situation, one they haven't faced in awhile. New general manager John Idzik is in this for the long haul after being hired in January. However, fifth-year coach Rex Ryan's future isn't guaranteed beyond this season as owner Woody Johnson has indicated that Idzik has his permission to re-evaluate Ryan after the season.

And as we've seen, new GMs often want to bring in their own guy, even if it doesn't happen until a year after they were hired (see the Chicago Bears' dismissal of Lovie Smith).

It won't be easy for Ryan to have a successful 2013 considering the personnel on hand. The talent base has eroded since the back-to-back AFC title game appearances in 2009 and 2010. The Jets' horrible salary-cap situation means they won't be able to quickly upgrade the talent base.

Numerous veterans are expected to be cap casualties or not re-signed, although it's possible they could put the franchise tag on tight end Dustin Keller, a free agent-to-be who has a good rapport with QB Mark Sanchez.

Key departures

The Jets would like to keep safeties LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell, both of whom proved to be good fits in Ryan's defense. But economics will make it difficult to do so, and it's possible both free agents might leave after one-year deals.

Fellow safety Eric Smith likely will be cut, as will linebackers Calvin Pace and Bart Scott and offensive lineman Jason Smith. It's possible Pace and both Smiths could be re-signed at more cap-friendly numbers, but it might be time to part ways with Scott. Although offseason toe surgery should help him, he often was exposed in the open field last season. Scott and all three safeties could be pursued by the Buffalo Bills, which will be installing a similar defense under former Jets coordinator Mike Pettine.

Some free agents aren't expected to be re-signed, including right guard Brandon Moore.

Needs/targets

1. Quarterback. As much as they might like to move on, Sanchez's guaranteed $8.25 million and huge cap hit if he is released mean the Jets simply can't part ways with the regressing passer. So what they could do instead is sign a veteran free agent to provide competition and perhaps hold the fort as a starter for one season before the Jets will have the money on hand to draft or trade for a more long-term option. Thus, the Miami Dolphins' Matt Moore is a short-term possibility.

2. Wide receiver. The Jets lacked playmakers last season, and even had Santonio Holmes stayed healthy the situation might not have been much better. Holmes has become more of a possession receiver as opposed to the deep threat he was in 2011. It's fair to wonder how much speed he will have coming off a Lisfranc injury.

Yes, the Jets could take a long look at the Cleveland Browns' Josh Cribbs, who also is a devastating kick returner, but the answer might have been on their roster at the end of the season. Braylon Edwards had 10 receptions in the final three games after being claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks and showed he still has something left. He wouldn't be expensive and despite sometimes being a bit moody, he genuinely wants to be a Jet. His height at 6-3 and ability to make acrobatic catches would help given Sanchez's inaccuracy.

3. Guard. Both left guard Matt Slauson and Brandon Moore are free agents, and it's possible neither will be re-signed. Moore has been a stalwart of the line since 2004, but nagging injuries and age slowed him the past two seasons, although he's still a better-than-average guard. But the Jets likely will want to move on.

Slauson is a more interesting case. The Jets platooned him with third-year disappointment Vlad Ducasse during the season, but insiders believe that was on orders from since-fired general manager Mike Tannenbaum, who was trying to justify spending a second-round pick on the slow-developing Ducasse in 2010. Perhaps Slauson would be more interesting in staying now. If not, the Bills' Andy Levitre is a possibility at left guard.

4. Safety. Unlikely to retain both Landry and Bell, the Jets could look to the draft to fill at least one of the safety spots. Texas' Kenny Vaccaro is a playmaker who is rising on charts and is a possibility when the Jets pick at No. 9. The Jets also might re-sign Eric Smith for less money, but the special-teams ace would seem to be more suited to be a backup.

5. Running back.Shonn Greene is scheduled to hit free agency, and although he hasn't been as consistent as the Jets would like, he topped 1,000 yards rushing in each of the past two seasons. It's very possible he could be re-upped.

Ahmad Bradshaw, recently dumped by the New York Giants in a cost-cutting measure, said he considers the Jets a potential landing spot. The Jets might be interested but only if the price was right for the oft-injured Bradshaw. The Jets also could look in the middle rounds for a running back as they often have in recent years.

Pelzman's take

Idzik is still learning the landscape. He was known more as a cap guy at Seattle, his previous stop, so he might proceed slowly at first, especially given the Jets' bad cap situation. Owner Johnson has said there is no mandate to make the playoffs in 2013 and that's a good thing, because this rebuilding process will take time.

Tannenbaum's penchant for trading away picks and his wasteful spending on Holmes' contract and Sanchez's extension means the Jets won't be able to be as aggressive as they would like and will have to patch holes slowly. Getting the talent improved for what figures to be the post-Sanchez era in 2014 is the goal right now, as opposed to making the big splashes Johnson craves.